5 Habits To Develop in 2017 for a Healthier, Happier YOU

Hi Friends! How are you doing? Are we surviving the beginning of the year?

It’s ironic I’m sharing this post today on health as Calvin has been sick all weekend. Luckily this is only the 2nd time he’s been sick…ever, but this means we aren’t used to seeing him like this and we want our lil’ Calvin back. We went to the doctor and he just has the really bad cold that’s going around…so guess who else has it now? Yours truly. Isn’t this true to life though – you’re feelin’ good, feelin’ good, and then a detour comes along, which can throw a wrench in the entire week. January…you’re winning, but not for long…

I shared this instagram post last week about my new year goal. It’s not something I WANT to do – it’s something I NEED to do in order to keep my sanity. Or did I lose it along time ago? My goal this year is to put my physical and mental health first. I seem to have put myself on the back burner for too long at the end of 2016 and honestly it’s really taken a toll on every aspect of my life. I know I will write more about this in the future because I’m realizing just how important making time to take of yourself truly is – and how easy it is to not. Having kid(s) means having to deliberately set aside time for yourself – one of the biggest things I’ve had to overcome as a new mom. So, in 2017, I’m making this a priority.

There are 5 things I started committing to consistently and I already am starting to feel a bit more grounded & on track for the year. They all seem like common sense but are super easy to slack on or forget in the midst of such busy, busy weeks!

|Keep Fresh Groceries in the House|

Anyone who knows me well knows that I really dislike grocery shopping – one my least favorite activities, but so important! It’s kind of like going to the gym…once I’m there, I don’t mind doing it! Shopping on the outside parameter of the store and having fresh, natural ingredients in stock at home guarantees you’ll have something healthy to grab or make at any time. It’s the best decision for your health and your wallet. Now that Calvin is starting to eat “real” foods it’s really stretching us to make sure we have a surplus of good food ready. It’s one thing if we slack on our healthy eating momentarily, but we cannot for Calvin. Honestly, in the busyness of 2016, we ate worse than we should have, and slacked in this area big time. Craig usually goes to the grocery but I am going to try and take on this responsibility more often and make it a weekly (quick) trip.

Steam fresh vegetables – so easy for dinner sides!

Red Onion (one of my favorite ingredients for cooking), Cilantro

Salsa, hummus, guacamole

Organic Beech-nut baby foods and pouches – I try to buy organic or natural while I can still control what he’s eating!

Whole wheat tortillas & english muffins (with PB is one of my favorites)

Calvin’s current favorites? bananas, cheese, raspberries

What am I missing? Any recommendations?

|Keep a (visual) Calendar|

^not the fanciest, but it works!

Get a monthly dry erase calendar and put it somewhere you look every day. Mine is on the countertop in the kitchen and I use it to write down appointments, events and most importantly, plan workouts. This is much like writing your goals – if you jot them down, you are more likely to commit and see it through. It’s not the end of the world if I miss a workout as I will just adjust the schedule, but this is helping to keep me accountable.

It also helps on the days that you just DON’T want to get moving. You can look back and see how far you’ve come that month and use it as motivation to keep going. Check off the days as you go. Put up pictures of what inspires you, or write out a new favorite quote for that month. Get creative, and keep it in front of you! The quote that is helping me this month: “You cannot pour from an empty cup.” I have to do these things for myself and keep up with them in order to provide for and be the best me for the others in my life.

|Make Coffee at Home|

I think we are all guilty of going through phases where we buy coffee every day, aka me on maternity leave and then for a few months after…. this is another habit that is bad for the waist line and your bank account. If you drink coffee every day, make it at home! I have a 30+ minute commute so I like to take that time to enjoy my coffee. Since I only need one cup, I have the single serving Keurig. Get a to-go mug that you love, take 2 minutes to pop in a k-cup (hello Starbucks from home) and buy natural ingredients for fixing. My personal favorites are natural creamer & either Organic Honey or Organic Blue Agave as a sweetener (in very small doses because these are still added sugars) Say this with me: I WILL STOP USING ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. There are already enough hidden sweeteners in the foods we eat, don’t add them into your daily coffee where you can actually control the ingredients.

|Drink More Water|

GUYS. I also don’t like drinking water. What’s wrong with me? Sometimes I feel like my thirst button doesn’t work. This year I am MAKING myself drink more water. For my energy levels, my skin, my hydration and overall well-being. I noticed I was starting to get headaches every day around 3 pm and often felt nauseous. And no, I’m not pregnant again – it was because I wasn’t drinking enough water. I have also been trying to get in the habit of drinking a large glass in the morning before I eat or drink anything else and then at least 50 ounces throughout the day. I have noticed a huge difference in sustained energy.

Using a cup that holds 20+ ounces and has a straw makes me drink the most. I’m loving these type of cups: Plastic Mason Jar Tumbler.

|Be Present|

Sometimes I get anxious that I haven’t been present enough mentally during this time in my life. As an extreme multi-tasker, it doesn’t always allow me to focus on ONE thing and take it all in. Having a baby, a full time job, a blog, a fiance…the list goes on and on of different areas that need my attention each day. I want to try to minimize the things I’m trying to do at once and BE PRESENT. I want to make a conscious effort to focus on one thing at a time – and remember that right after work, it’s strictly Calvin time where we can play and enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted. When I’m exercising, I’m taking those 20 minutes to give it 100%. When I’m writing, I’m not trying to answer work emails and vice versa. When I’m talking to Craig, I’m not browsing instagram. I definitely need to dive into this one a bit more – let me know if you have any tips for growing in this habit.

Okay friends, what am I missing? What are your goals for 2017? Any of these overlap with yours? I need to know 🙂 Catch up with you all soon!!

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14 Comments

Healthy “dips” guacamole (Whole Foods makes a great one that actually does not turn brown) hummus, salsa without sugar added, natural almond and peanut butter. Cut up the veggies ahead of time so you have stuff to dip in the dip. Dried fruit without added sugar (it’s already sweet!) — mangos and papaya are the best! Sweet potatoes as a healthy starch.

I used paper and pencil calendars. I jotted down baby milestones or other family events. Then I could go back through the year and document my photo albums. I know people don’t do that anymore but I still have my calendars and I like paging through them now and again. Many good memories. ❤

Several of these definitely overlap with mine! Actually…on second glance, they all do! lol We’ve really focused on home-cooked meals over the last few months and it’s made all the difference on our waistlines and pocketbooks too! Happy new year! 🙂

When you get older(not you) , your thirst gland doesn’t work. I wish my 95 year old Mom would drink water. Get into a good habit now! Have date nights with your “hubby” , this will be good for your family. Calvin won mind a sitter and you get to talk uninterrupted. Dry erase board is great. I use one for Mom so she knows what is going on! I love your pictures of Calvin. He is so cute! Sounds like you have a plan but know something can always change it so be flexible. Breathe!

Hey, my family has the same dry erase calendar! Like you, I should be drinking more water. It’s something I’m working on. Same goes for exercising and eating healthy. Well, healthier is a better way to put it. What about some natural or organic peanut butter to go with your english muffin? Bet it’d taste just as good as the regular PB. Unless, you’re already using organic PB. Wish I could suggest a brand, but my family doesn’t have any.

i’m trying really hard to drink a ton of water. i have a 24oz tumbler that was gifted to me for Christmas that i’m using- the goal is to drink 3 in my work day (72oz) plus i always drink water with dinner and usually 1 or 2 more glasses. i don’t count the water at home in my daily total, because it varies. i’ve hit my 3/day goal every work day this year!